Page 73 of Never To Be Mine

He returned to my side, shaking his head with a grin I couldn’t quite read.

“So?” I prompted.

“Apparently Micah’s been talking with Jack about a movie he wants to direct. If he can attach a star like Jack to the project, studios will be fighting over it. So they’ve been hanging out as they work on that.”

“Smart,” I said. “But that doesn’t explain why Jack agreed to do this.”

“I asked Micah the same thing. He said he used his secret weapon.”

“Which is?”

Hollis’s grin widened. “Money. He paid him lots of money.”

I felt my eyebrows shoot up. “How much money are we talking?”

“I didn’t ask. But I told him I’d pay him back, and he said no. Said this was an investment in his future too. Something about building goodwill with Jack before they start working together.”

I turned to look at Micah with new appreciation. The Blackwells were something else. They didn’t just think in terms of immediate returns. They played the long game, building relationships and opportunities that would pay off down the line. It was smart business wrapped in family loyalty.

I liked that. Despite their wealth and fame, they were a legitimately supportive bunch.

“Your family is insane,” I said, but there was no bite to it.

“Tell me about it.” Hollis crossed his arms, watching as the crew made final adjustments to the lighting. “Growing up, I thought everyone’s parents brought home Oscar winners for dinner.”

“Must have been rough.”

He caught the sarcasm in my voice and smiled. “You have no idea.”

I watched as the crew descended on Jack, adjusting lights and mics while Micah barked orders like he’d been born on set. The man commanded attention without breaking a sweat. He had been working on movies for a while, but according to Hollis, directing the whole show was new for him. If today’s production was any indication, he would be just fine.

I admired the efficiency even as the whole thing felt surreal. Hollis stayed close to my side. I appreciated him being there despite the awkwardness still humming between us. The set was way out of my wheelhouse. I would have felt like a fish out of water if it wasn’t for Hollis.

He disappeared for a minute and returned with two of his green shakes in hand. “Here,” he said, handing me one with that infuriating half-smile. “Come on, try it again. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t like it. I know it’s good.”

I rolled my eyes but took the bottle anyway. “You’re relentless.”

“Guilty.” He leaned in, voice low so the crew wouldn’t overhear. “You’ve been pretending it tastes like shit just to get under my skin. Admit it.”

I twisted the cap open, raised the bottle in mock salute, and took a slow sip. The familiar blend hit my tongue—smooth, slightly tangy, with that hint of pineapple that actually worked. It had always been fine. Better than fine, if I was honest. I’d just enjoyed needling him about it.

“Okay, fine,” I said, fighting a smile. “I like it.”

Hollis’s grin widened, triumphant and boyish. “Knew it. You’ve been full of it this whole time.”

“Sticking it to you was half the fun.” I took another sip. “Doesn’t mean I’m ready to drink it every morning.”

“Progress,” he murmured, and something in his tone made my stomach flip.

We stood shoulder to shoulder after that, watching Jack nail take after take. The star sipped the shake on cue, delivered his lines with effortless charm, and made the whole thing look effortless. Micah called cut and reset a dozen times, tweaking angles, but Jack never once complained. Hollis and I exchanged amused glances every time the director shouted for another go.

Eventually they wrapped Jack’s solo shots. Hollis was pulled in next, standing beside the actor while they ran a version where he delivered a couple of lines about the product. He was surprisingly natural on camera. Confident, flashing that easy smile that had probably sold half his smoothies. It worked. The chemistry between them was light and genuine.

I could watch him all day. And that was a problem.

Then Micah turned toward me. “Juno, you’re up. Get in there.”

I blinked. “Me?”